A free-spirited and amateur athlete from this village close to the Oshoek Border Post, living with a disability, Nkosinathi Khumalo (20), tackled the 10km race in the fourth annual Jock of the Bushveld 4-in-1 Marathon in Mbombela on February 9.

Khumalo walked the race from the capital city out on the Barberton road on crutches, as he has one leg. He was 149th out of 285 with a finish time of one hour, 24 minutes and 17 seconds.

“I have wanted to participate in a marathon for a long time, but because there are not many sporting codes in my village, I couldn’t. I had to make sure I did not miss this year’s marathon. I hitchhiked with my friend to Mbombela to participate in it. I am so proud of myself for participating in it and finishing it. This is the first of many,” he said.

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Khumalo had his leg amputated in 2015 after he was diagnosed with cancer in it. “I do not remember much about it, because I was young. I was sick for two years and I had to have one of my legs amputated. However, I have never let the disability become an obstacle. I allowed myself to accept the situation, so it is not difficult to live with one leg. My parents are very supportive as well.”

He also plays soccer and table tennis. “I would love to pursue sports full-time after matriculating. I am currently doing Grade 11. My only hope is to see sports being developed and elevated in my village so that the youth can have vast extracurricular opportunities and not have to travel far for sports participation. I speak for not only myself when I say we are in dire need for sponsorship for sports development,” he said.

During the marathon, a fellow runner, a Mbombelan, Bernadine Swanepoel, took to Facebook to call for donations of running shoes and crutches for Khumalo.

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On Tuesday, February 11, Swanepoel said some people heeded her call. “I have received shoes and crutches for Nkosinathi and I really thank the people who made these donations. Some time this month, my husband and I will visit him at home to hand over the items. I am also very proud of him for participating in the marathon. I watched him persevere as I ran alongside him until the finish line.”